Pressure from long-standing and loyal commercial partners would give the controversy a new dimension with FIFA president Sepp Blatter pleading for patience on the issue.

FIFA's chief investigator, Michael Garcia, is currently completing his assessment of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, due to be finished this week - although the findings will not be made public until July.

In a statement, the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said: "There is an ongoing investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process, with which we have fully co-operated. Consistent with FIFA's rules we have been asked to refrain from commenting on the investigation and we will comply with that request.

"Qatar has won the bid on its merits and we are confident that at the end of the appropriate process, the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar will stand."

The Sunday Times this week published further allegations regarding disgraced former FIFA executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam, claiming it has received "hundreds of millions" of documents related to payments he authorised to football officials.

Sony told the newspaper: "As a FIFA partner, we expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately.

"We continue to expect FIFA to adhere to its principles of integrity, ethics and fair play across all aspects of its operations."